How to Remove Apps on Xiaomi That Aren’t Removed: The Complete 2026 Guide

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones regularly face a problem: some pre-installed applications cannot be removed by standard methods. System utilities like Mi Video, Mi Music, Browser or GetApps take up space in memory, consume battery power in the background and show annoying ads — but the “Delete” button in the app menu is inactive. Why is this happening?

The fact is that MIUI (Xiaomi firmware) classifies such programs as system-based, integrated into the firmware layer, and the manufacturer blocks their uninstallation to preserve the functionality of the ecosystem. However, there are workarounds, from simple shutdown to complete removal through ADB or MIUI Hidden Settings. In this article, we will discuss all working methods, including those that do not require root rights, and also explain which applications can be safely removed and which are better left.

Why some apps on Xiaomi are not removed

The pre-installed applications in MIUI are divided into three categories:

• 📱 Custom - downloaded from Google Play or GetApps. Removed in the standard way through the app menu.
• 🔧 System (deactivated) - part of the shell, but they can be turned off (for example, Mi Pay, Mi Community.
• 🚫 System (unremovable) – critical to work MIUI (For example, Security, Settings, Launcher, and their removal can cause the smartphone to fail.

The manufacturer blocks the removal of the second and third categories for several reasons:

• 🔄 Synchronization with the ecosystem: applications like Mi Cloud or Mi Account are needed for backup and authorization.
• 💰 Monetization: Browser, Mi Video and GetApps show ads that generate revenue for Xiaomi.
• 🛠️ Stability: Deleting some services (such as Google Play Services) will disrupt other software.

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications may cause malfunctions MIUI, including the inability to update firmware or loss of features such as dark theme or navigation gestures!

Method 1: Disabling applications (without deleting)

If you just have to hide an unnecessary application and stop it from working in the background, you just have to turn it off. This method does not require root rights and is safe for the system.

• 📵 It will not appear in the menu (except for a list of all apps in the settings).
• 🔋 It will not consume battery power.
• 📤 No updates will be received.
• 📥 Save your data (when you turn it back on, everything will return).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (such as Mi Video).
3. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, the application is critical to the system).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

List of apps that can be safely disabled on most Xiaomi devices:

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable Google Play Services, Security or Settings, which will cause your smartphone to run in an unstable way!

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If the app reappears after the MIUI update after the shutdown, repeat the procedure. To avoid this, use the ADB method (described below).

Method 2: Remove via MIUI Hidden Settings (without root)

MIUI Hidden Settings is a hidden settings menu that allows you to uninstall some system applications without using ADB or root rights. This method works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with MIUI 12-14 firmware.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone app and enter the code: ##4636##
2. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information (or Usage Statistics).
3. Click on the tri-point icon (⋮) in the upper right corner and select MIUI Hidden Settings.
4. Go to the App Manager section.
5. Find the application you want to remove and click Uninstall.

If #4636### is not working, try the alternative.

• 📱 Open the Settings. → The phone.
• 🔧 5 times quickly click on the version MIUI (A notification will appear saying, “You have become a developer»).
• 🔍 Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• 🔓 Turn on Debugging. USB and Unlock. OEM.
• 📲 Connect your phone to your PC and use it. ADB (3-way).

Enable Developer Mode (click 5 times on "MIUI Version")

Activate debugging over USB

Make sure your phone has enough charge (at least 50%)

Backup of important data-->

Method 3: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is Google’s official tool that lets you control your smartphone via the command line, which can remove most of Xiaomi’s pre-installed apps without getting root rights.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB on your PC: Download Platform Tools from Google. Unpack the archive in the C:\adb folder. Open the Command Prompt in this folder (Shift + PCM → Open the command window).

Connect the phone:

• Enable Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB.
• Connect your smartphone to your PC via cable and confirm the debugging permission.
• Check the connection: Adb devices (Your device name should appear).
• Get a list of all apps: adb shell pm list packages -f (Look for the name of the unwanted app in the list, for example com.miui.video for Mi Video.)
• Remove the app: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.video (Replace com.miui.video with the package of the desired application.)

List of packages of popular system applications Xiaomi:

⚠️ Note: pm uninstall removes the application only for the current user (--user 0). To get it back, you'll need to reset or flash it. If you want to completely erase the application from the system, use the command adb shell pm uninstall. --user 0 -k (flag -k caches and data).

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ADB is the most reliable way to remove system applications without root, but it requires caution. Always check the name of the package before removing it!

Method 4: Using applications for uninstallation (with root)

If you have root rights, the process of removing system applications is simplified. There are several specialized utilities that allow you to manage pre-installed software:

• 🔧 Titanium Backup is a classic application for backup and uninstall system programs. Supports batch removal.
• 🗑️ System App Remover is a simple tool with the ability to filter applications by category (system, user).
• 🛠️ Root App Deleter – allows you to delete, freeze and restore applications.
• 🔍 SD Maid – not only removes apps, but also cleans up garbage after them.

Instructions for System App Remover:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Provide root rights when requested.
3. In the main menu, select the System Apps tab.
4. Check the boxes for unnecessary apps (for example, Mi Browser, Mi Video).
5. Press Uninstall and confirm the action.

Advantages of using root applications:

• 📌 Ability to restore remote applications.
• 🔄 Freeze instead of delete (the application does not work, but remains in the system).
• 🗃️ Packet processing – removing multiple programs at a time.

⚠️ Warning: Removing critical system components (such as Android System WebView or Google Play Services) can lead to bootloop (a looped boot).Always back up via Titanium Backup or Nandroid before mass deletion!

Method 5: Flashing with removal of unnecessary applications

If you want to get rid of all Xiaomi pre-installed apps, the most radical way is to install custom firmware.

• 📱 LineageOS – “clean” Android without excess software.
• 🔧 Pixel Experience – firmware with interface from Google Pixel.
• 🔄 MIUI EU — modified MIUI without Chinese services or advertising.
• 🛠️ Havoc-OS - firmware with an abundance of customization settings.

The process of flashing involves several stages:

1. Unlock the bootloader: Apply for unlocking through Xiaomi's official website. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and connect your phone in Fastboot mode. Wait for confirmation (can take up to 72 hours).

Installation of custom recovery (TWRP):

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img


fastboot boot twrp.img

Custom ROM firmware:

• Download firmware (such as LineageOS) for your model.
• In TWRP, select Wipe → Advanced Wipe (tag Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
• Install the firmware through Install.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• 🚀 Without pre-installed garbage, only basic Google services.
• 🔋 Best Battery Optimization (No Background Processes) MIUI).
• 📱 Quick updates (e.g. LineageOS gets security patches monthly).

⚠️ Warning: Firmware will void warranty and may lead to device blinking if you make an error. Before the procedure, check firmware compatibility with your Xiaomi model on the forum XDA Developers.

Which apps can be removed and which ones can’t

Not all Xiaomi system applications are safe to remove, and below is a list of programs divided into risk categories.

✅ Safe to remove (not critical to the system)

• 🌐 Mi Browser (com.android.browser) – a browser with ads.
• 🎬 Mi Video (com.miui.video) - Video player.
• 🎵 Mi Music (com.miui.player) - Music player.
• 🛒 GetApps (com.xiaomi.mipicks) - a branded store.
• 💳 Mi Pay (com.miui.mipay) – payment system (only available in China).
• 📖 Mi Reader (com.miui.reader) is a book reader app.

⚠️ Remove with caution (may affect functionality)

• 🔒 Security (com.miui.securitycenter) - Antivirus and optimizer. Deleting will result in the loss of garbage cleaning function.
• 📱 Mi Share (com.xiaomi.mishare.connectivity) is a file transfer service that doesn’t allow fast data transfer between Xiaomi devices.
• 🔊 Mi Sound Recorder (com.android.soundrecorder) - Recorder. Deletion will block recording of sound through standard means.

🚫 Cannot be removed (critical for work) MIUI)

• ⚙️ Settings (com.android.settings) - system settings.
• 📱 Launcher (com.miui.home) - Desktop shell.
• 🔄 Google Play Services (com.google.android.gms) – required for most applications.
• 📶 Telephony (com.android.phone) – responsible for calls and SMS.
• 🔋 Battery Manager (com.miui.powerkeeper) – manages power consumption.

If you’re in doubt about whether you can uninstall a particular application, check it out on forums like 4PDA or XDA. It’s also helpful to create a restore point in TWRP before removing it.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi